Christie to visit Iowa — twice — in January as part of 2015 victory lap

Presidential campaign launch still pending, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is set to hit the primary battleground state of Iowa twice this month, according to the Republican’s schedule.

On January 24th, Christie, a prospective candidate for the Republican nomination in 2016, will appear alongside other prominent Republicans at the Iowa Freedom Summit, an annual event sponsored by the conservative group Citizens United along with Iowan Congressman Steve King. It’s the first time Christie will be back in the Hawkeye State since the midterm elections, when he helped prod Iowan Gov. Terry Branstad to re-election victory.

Christie is also expected to attend the Iowa incumbent’s swearing-in ceremony at the end of the month, according to Politico.

The trips will round out what looks to be a 2015 victory lap following Christie’s campaigning last year as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a post he used to get several Republican governors re-elected. In addition to Branstad’s swearing-in at the end of the month, Christie is also scheduled to attend Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s swearing-in for his second term on Jan. 6, incoming Gov. Charlie Baker in Massachusetts on Jan. 10, and Gov. John Kasich in Ohio on Jan. 12.

He’ll also hit the inaugurations for Govs. Bruce Rauner in Illinois, Nikki Haley in South Carolina, and introduce Gov.-elect Larry Hogan at the Republican’s inaugural ceremony.